State budget includes funding for local projects

Published: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 6:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 12:08 a.m.

Barring the governor finding a turkey or two in the state budget, Marion County fared quite well next fiscal year, according to one local lawmaker.

State Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, said he was confident that Marion’s projects would remain in the state’s $74.5 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2014, which begins on July 1.

Gov. Rick Scott’s $74.2 billion “Florida Families First” budget was unveiled in February as the state’s largest ever, in terms of overall dollars spent.

Lawmakers did little to change that during the session. In fact, the Legislature padded it a bit.

“As I like to say, there is nothing a little prosperity won’t help,” Baxley said in an interview.

Lawmakers adopted the plan and Scott will now review it. The governor has the power to veto individual line items he believes should be cut.

Among local initiatives, next year’s spending plan contains $2 million for improvements at the Florida Horse Park.

The park actually got a $500,000 bump from the first budget proposal.

“We really want to create a venue to do a lot of things, not just events but also education programs,” Baxley said of the park’s funding.

The budget also contains $200,000 for the planning and design of a new regional children’s medical services facility in Ocala near Marion County Senior Services.

Marion County’s Utilities Department is expected to receive $300,000 to install a reclaimed water line at its Silver Springs Shores sewer plant, while the city of Belleview will receive $1.15 million for an expansion of a sewer-treatment facility.

The Lowell Correctional Institution will get $100,000 for farm equipment to support its Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, a joint initiative with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association whereby retired race horses are sent to the prison to help inmates learn the horse industry.

The College of Central Florida will get $4.25 million toward a new facility at its Levy County campus. That more than doubled what the college was initially allotted.

Marion County Public Schools is slated to receive $362,790 to enhance programs at the Community Technical Adult Education Center.

The state budget is the beefiest it’s been in years, thanks to an improving economy that has pumped up tax revenues.

The lean years forced lawmakers to skimp on local projects. Tallahassee largely scuttled such earmarks unless they met a clear regional or statewide purpose.

<p>Barring the governor finding a turkey or two in the state budget, Marion County fared quite well next fiscal year, according to one local lawmaker.</p><p>State Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, said he was confident that Marion's projects would remain in the state's $74.5 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2014, which begins on July 1.</p><p>Gov. Rick Scott's $74.2 billion “Florida Families First” budget was unveiled in February as the state's largest ever, in terms of overall dollars spent.</p><p>Lawmakers did little to change that during the session. In fact, the Legislature padded it a bit.</p><p>“As I like to say, there is nothing a little prosperity won't help,” Baxley said in an interview.</p><p>Lawmakers adopted the plan and Scott will now review it. The governor has the power to veto individual line items he believes should be cut.</p><p>Among local initiatives, next year's spending plan contains $2 million for improvements at the Florida Horse Park.</p><p>The park actually got a $500,000 bump from the first budget proposal.</p><p>“We really want to create a venue to do a lot of things, not just events but also education programs,” Baxley said of the park's funding.</p><p>The budget also contains $200,000 for the planning and design of a new regional children's medical services facility in Ocala near Marion County Senior Services.</p><p>Marion County's Utilities Department is expected to receive $300,000 to install a reclaimed water line at its Silver Springs Shores sewer plant, while the city of Belleview will receive $1.15 million for an expansion of a sewer-treatment facility.</p><p>The Lowell Correctional Institution will get $100,000 for farm equipment to support its Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, a joint initiative with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association whereby retired race horses are sent to the prison to help inmates learn the horse industry.</p><p>The College of Central Florida will get $4.25 million toward a new facility at its Levy County campus. That more than doubled what the college was initially allotted.</p><p>Marion County Public Schools is slated to receive $362,790 to enhance programs at the Community Technical Adult Education Center.</p><p>The state budget is the beefiest it's been in years, thanks to an improving economy that has pumped up tax revenues.</p><p>The lean years forced lawmakers to skimp on local projects. Tallahassee largely scuttled such earmarks unless they met a clear regional or statewide purpose.</p><p>Compared to past years, Baxley said he was encouraged by the outcome.</p><p>“I think we have a good budget this year,” he said.</p><p><i>Contact Bill Thompson at 867-4117 or bill.thompson@starbanner.com.</i></p>